Ithaca

Pylos

Nestor

- king of Pylos and a former warrior in the Trojan War. Like Odysseus, Nestor is known as a clever speaker. Telemachus visits him in Book 3 to ask about his father, but Nestor knows little of Odysseus's whereabouts.

Cicones

Lotus Eaters

- legendary people visited by Odysseus, they live on a plant whose fruit induces stupor and forgetfulness of home; danger Odysseus's return home even though it isn't physically dangerous, Odysseus has to carry some crewmen back to the boat

Cyclops

Polyphemus

- son of Poseidon, Odysseus escapes after blinding him and tricking him but going under the sheep, and then taunts him as he leaves; Polyphemus gets mad and prays to his dad (Poseidon) who then deters the rest of Odysseus's return home

Tiresias

Achilles

- commander of the Myrmidons, Achaean allies, at troy; traded a long life for a short and glorious one; Achilles was an Archean warrior, who fought alongside Odysseus until he was killed by an arrow to the heel; he appears in the land of the dead in Book 11, and has a conversation with Odysseus; he treats Odysseus like a friend, and is kind and respectful, through this conversation Odysseus learns some of the realities of the afterlife and that he is not invincible.

Argos

Antinous

- the leading suitor, he is rude, obnoxious, and greedy. Antinous leads the suitors to invade the palace, eat all the food and tries to marry Penelope; in Book 18, Antinous tries to host Odysseus, but is reminded that he is not the host by Telemachus; he tries to kill Telemachus on his return, which Athena stops, and is the first to be killed by Odysseus